LET THE GAMES BEGIN; 500 ATHLETES GO FOR GOLD IN A.V. SPECIAL OLYMPICS.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer With style and grace and an Olympic-size smile, Cathy Browning reached into the large golden ring and lit the torch Saturday during the opening ceremonies of the 19th annual Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Special Olympics Special Olympics International sports program for people with intellectual disability. It provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type summer and winter sports for participants. . The 30-year-old Lancaster mother of three, a graduate of special education programs, was honored as the torchbearer torch·bear·er n. 1. One that carries a torch. 2. One, such as the leader of a government, who imparts knowledge, truth, or inspiration to others. Noun 1. Saturday during the Hi Desert Classic at the Marauder MARAUDER. One who, while employed in the army as a soldier, commits a larceny or robbery in the neighborhood of the camp, or while wandering away from the army. Merl. Repert. h.t. Stadium at Antelope Valley College Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties. . ``This is great,'' said Browning as she sat in the stands with her three daughters and husband. ``It's a lot of fun.'' After winning two second places and a first place during last year's local Special Olympics, Browning was named athlete of the year Athlete of the Year
``I know I'll do great this year,'' said Browning. ``The softball throw is my favorite event.'' Browning was one of the 500 Special Olympians from as far away as San Diego and Ventura who turned out Saturday to participate in the competition in track and field, swimming, bowling, tennis and gymnastics. ``Each year it keeps getting bigger and bigger,'' said Dennis Wick, event director, adding that 14 teams are participating in the Olympics, which is the most ever recorded for the event. ``We're one of the largest (such) events in the state of California.'' The local annual event precedes the three-day statewide Special Olympics to be held at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX next weekend. ``An event like this offers participants a chance to show the community what they can do,'' Wick said. ``It builds their self-esteem and gives them confidence.'' Ronnie Petersen, 14, who suffers from cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , traveled from Ridgecrest to attend Saturday's event and participate in the 50- and 100-meter dash. ``I like everything,'' said Petersen, who has been attending the event for five years. ``I like the band and choir and the birds getting released.'' CAPTION(S): 4 Photos Photo: (1--Color only in AV edition) Athletes march in the opening ceremonies for the 19th annual Antelope Valley Special Olympics on Saturday. (2--Ran in AV edition only--Color) Above, Myrtle Browning, 12, of Antelope Valley competes in the 50-meter race. (Ran in AV edition only) Antelope Valley's Jeff Sander, 14, finishes with a flourish to win the mile run at the Special Olympics. (4--Ran in AV edition only) Cathy Browning, a Lancaster mother of three, carries the torch to open the games at Marauder Stadium at Antelope Valley College. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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